Photos: The Ian Peak Collection - The Begg's

[Steve Holmes]

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I felt this fantastic little collection of photos by Ian Peak deserved its own thread. Former New Zealand motorbike racer George Begg built a series of race cars from his engineering workshop in Drummond, just north of Invercargill. 18 cars carried the Begg name, starting with the little 650 in 1963, and concluding with the 018 F5000 in 1974.

Begg returned to New Zealand from the UK in early 1957 with wife Freda, who he'd just recently wed, after having met on the Isle of Man. He'd quit racing in 1956 after his best friend Bob Cook, who Begg had travelled to the UK with, lost his life at Aintree. Eventually he set up a small engineering company in Drummond on a farm his father and brother worked. His little company, G. N. Begg, Engineer, became inundated with work after he'd invented a device that could clamp hold a sheep, and flip it on its back so the farmer could rid its feet of footrot.

By 1963, and with business booming, Begg was looking for a hobby when he stumbled upon a book called "Racing and Sports Car Chassis Design", by Michael Costin and David Phipps, and inspired, set out to build his first race car.

With Teretonga being just down the road in Invercargill, this was Begg's local race track, and the place most of his race cars would debut, after their customary blast up and down 'Drummond Straight', the road outside his engineering business. Although not every Begg is pictured here, a good number are, and certainly enough to warrant their own thread.

[Steve Holmes]

Here is one of Begg's earliest cars, the 1500, which was built and supplied as a kit for Keith McFadzien who completed it, as pictured.

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[Steve Holmes]

Here is the Begg Daimler, another space-frame car powered by a Daimler SP250 motor, supposedly supplied by Lawrence Brownlie. Lindsay Tosh raced the car from its first appearance in late 1967, until around 1969.

I'm not entirely sure where this photo was taken. Is this possibly the start of a hillclimb or timed sprint? Just looks more like a public road than a race track from this angle.

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[Racer Rog]

That could be at the back of the circuit at Teretonga, we used a old enterence road there as a bent sprint through a gate around and back, the trick was to get back through the gate, as more than one car didn't make it! I am certain its at the track, with the trees and the loupins in the back ground
Roger

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Roger, that certainly makes sense.

[Steve Holmes]

This one is just superb! In the pits, the Begg Sports awaits its turn to hit the track, as George Begg gives driver Barry Keen a pep-talk. Note the amazing safety barriers separating the cars charging down the track at full noise and those in the pits!

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[GD66]

A worthy thread indeed Steve. The lead pic at the top is the brace of Begg FM2s of Pierre Phillips #24 and Geoff Mardon #39, Teretonga round of the 1970 Tasman series.

[Shano]

Great thread - Begg created some great cars. The paddock full of British cars belonging to the spectators is pretty nostalgic too.

[John McKechnie]

Quite simply George Begg is a legend.

[Kwaussie]

Car # 70 in post 6 is the first Begg 1600, Colin Bunce in gold helmet with Bryan Taylor.
I could be wrong but I think George fabricated the wheels of the sports car in his workshop! steel not alloy!

[Grant Ellwood]

Car # 70 in post 6 is the first Begg 1600, Colin Bunce in gold helmet with Bryan Taylor.
I could be wrong but I think George fabricated the wheels of the sports car in his workshop! steel not alloy!

Re the Begg 1600, was that the Hillman powered car? If so, it was later converted to Formula Ford specs and owned by Warwick Binning (Levin) then by John Pirovano followed by myself. John Barnard aquired the Begg for hillclimbing, I lost track of it since then.

[Kwaussie]

That is correct. Dr Dave Bruton was the first driver of this car first raced in 1965. Wally Wilmott is your man to fill in the latest details.

[John McKechnie]

In Motorman June 1968 page 39 shows Brian Clay in his 120 EN special rolling after hitting Keith McFadzien Begg Ford 1500 Puke Elbow March 17.Begg has 73 on the side-like the yellow car above.

[Russ Noble]

Re the Begg 1600, was that the Hillman powered car? If so, it was later converted to Formula Ford specs and owned by Warwick Binning (Levin) then by John Pirovano followed by myself. John Barnard aquired the Begg for hillclimbing, I lost track of it since then.

That's right, it was raced with Rootes power in the early days by Russell Thompson and then bought and raced by Ian Bisman. Ian then sold it and bought the mono Begg Twin Cam, also from Russell Thompson. Ian has since bought the Humber Begg back, now in Formula Ford spec. Incidentally I think Ian still has the tub from the Begg mono also.

[Jac Mac]

The Begg Daimler in post #3 originally did one or two Teretonga club meetings powered by the 283 Chev, wheels were the fabricated steel items in the pic, but car was raced sans the side panels of the bodywork, giving spectators a view of Barry Keen shifting gears etc, according to the Begg book the SP250 motor came from a wrecked car at Tuatapere, but Laurence Brownlie may well have supplied that as he had earlier raced an SP250. The photo is with the cars in the pits on the main straight, no pit wall etc was in place then, no rollcages, use the same overalls that you worked in during the week, pinch the old mans fire extinguisher, heck i remember a guy from gore that fronted up with a rental car once, got all the way thru tech etc before someone noticed the different rego sticker.

[Grant Ellwood]

That's right, it was raced with Rootes power in the early days by Russell Thompson and then bought and raced by Ian Bisman. Ian then sold it and bought the mono Begg Twin Cam, also from Russell Thompson. Ian has since bought the Humber Begg back, now in Formula Ford spec. Incidentally I think Ian still has the tub from the Begg mono also.

I possibly still have the 10 inches (approx) of rear chassis I cut off to "modernise" the car back in the 70s (Ian B, don't shoot me).
Originally the spaceframe ended behind the rear axles. I once shared Feo Stanton's garage with George Begg and David Oxton at a Baypark meeting, I think they were swapping an engine and I was replacing a broken axle on my car. George kept giving me withering looks and muttering about the f ----g wanker who had messed with his Begg.

[Michael Clark]

Both Ian Bisman and Russell Thompson were at Ruapuna for Skope. I know Ian but had never met Russell before - he's a feisty bugger but had some great stories. I wrote a 'booklet' called something like 'George Begg - The Man and his Cars' for the Begg Spectacular at Teretonga in Feb 2007 - Russell has pointing out something he'd read somewhere where the author had got something wrong...

Russell lives in Canada and seemingly has done for some time - he also told me how Chris Amon had tried to help him get work in the UK in the 70s.

I'm leaving for Teretonga on Thursday - hard to believe it is 6 years since the big Begg do that Noel Atley put so much effort into. Donald 'the voice of Teretonga' McDonald and I were MCs and we interviewed George before an audience of 424. George said to me the next day 'I think that went all right last night...'

'All right!! - George you were on fire'. He sort of looked off into the distance and said, qiestly, 'Yeah'

He died in the April - dear old George.

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks for that post Michael, I really enjoyed that.

[Steve Holmes]

I possibly still have the 10 inches (approx) of rear chassis I cut off to "modernise" the car back in the 70s (Ian B, don't shoot me).
Originally the spaceframe ended behind the rear axles. I once shared Feo Stanton's garage with George Begg and David Oxton at a Baypark meeting, I think they were swapping an engine and I was replacing a broken axle on my car. George kept giving me withering looks and muttering about the f ----g wanker who had messed with his Begg.

Ha ha ha, that is brilliant Grant!

[Steve Holmes]

The engine room of the Begg Twin-Cam.

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[rf84]

Re the Begg 1600, was that the Hillman powered car? If so, it was later converted to Formula Ford specs and owned by Warwick Binning (Levin) then by John Pirovano followed by myself. John Barnard aquired the Begg for hillclimbing, I lost track of it since then.

Just a minor point. "John" Barnard should read "Paul" Barnard. For some years Paul was Service Manager at John Dyke Ford Tauranga but then he bought a "Mitre 10" at Mt Maunganui. I have not seen or heard of him for many years. Someone who lives in the BOP may like to track him down and find out what happened to the Begg. I think from memory it won at least 2 Gold Star H/C championships with Paul and Ford Twin Cam power. I also seem to recollect Paul had a humungus crash at a hillclimb and that the car was pretty much broken in 2 and subsequently "written off".

[Grant Ellwood]

Just a minor point. "John" Barnard should read "Paul" Barnard. For some years Paul was Service Manager at John Dyke Ford Tauranga but then he bought a "Mitre 10" at Mt Maunganui. I have not seen or heard of him for many years. Someone who lives in the BOP may like to track him down and find out what happened to the Begg. I think from memory it won at least 2 Gold Star H/C championships with Paul and Ford Twin Cam power. I also seem to recollect Paul had a humungus crash at a hillclimb and that the car was pretty much broken in 2 and subsequently "written off".

Thanks for the correction RF84, I'm from Tauranga and knew Paul so just a silly senior moment on my part. Senior moment now called MCI up here - Minor Cognitive Impairment (for anyone else who needs an excuse....).
I heard that the car had been restored but I'll do some research to confirm or otherwise.

[David McKinney]

It went from Barney to Steve Grant for FF in the early '80s. I believe it has recently been rebuilt by Ian Bisman and Noel Atley

[Grant Ellwood]

Ha ha ha, that is brilliant Grant!

Thanks Steve, David Oxton found it hard to keep a straight face too. I think I got a less than honorable mention in one of George's books also.

And thanks David McKinney for reminding me that Ian Bisman has the car, I had noticed that in Russ Noble's post #14 and promptly forgot it...

[Steve Holmes]

Barry Keen and the McBegg, a car built around various components collected by George during a stint working for McLaren (earning $52 a week) in 1968. Is that Begg crouching down next to the car on right of picture?

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[Jac Mac]

Brian Taylor[ Taylortune]- grey overalls, Brian ? Nicholl in white, pretty sure its George, Casey Jones hats were 'team ' attire!

[Lotus7Alfa]

Barry Keen and the McBegg, a car built around various components collected by George during a stint working for McLaren (earning $52 a week) in 1968. Is that Begg crouching down next to the car on right of picture?

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and not long finished a rebuild in Invercargill. It was in the paddock at Teretonga today and is scheduled to demonstrate at the Classic Speedfest there this weekend.

[Steve Holmes]

Brian Taylor[ Taylortune]- grey overalls, Brian ? Nicholl in white, pretty sure its George, Casey Jones hats were 'team ' attire!

Thanks Jac.

[Steve Holmes]

Begg's first foray into Formula 5000, with the Begg FM2, of which two cars were built. Begg was joined by Fred McLean, hence the 'FM' designation. I believe a twin-cam powered car was the first in which McLean was involved (FM1), but was this car ever completed?

Graham McRae borrowed the first FM2 to race at Pukekohe and Bay Park in late 1969. Geoff Mardon then took over this car, while a second car was constructed for Pierre Phillips to drive.

Looking closely, the two cars differ slightly to each other. I believe the first car is that on the right?

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[Steve Holmes]

My favourite of all the Begg race cars, the FM5. This is the second of the FM5's, which Allan McCully built up from the spare tub, and which featured a slightly longer wheelbase and different shaped air box.

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[Michael Clark]

Also my favourite!

[Milan Fistonic]

Here's another shot of the Baker car at Pukekohe.


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[Steve Holmes]

Stunning photo Milan! Thanks for posting. Just take a look at that bodywork. All hand beaten from alloy. A real work of art, with no sign of any straight lines. I believe Robin Officer was responsible for the bodywork? He lives in the US now, does work for Jay Leno, among others.

[Steve Holmes]

David Oxton in the first FM5 built, and the only FM5 built up at the Begg workshop. Started out painted yellow, as with previous Begg's, but was changed to black in an effort to change the teams bad luck suffered when racing in the UK. This car has been in the Southward Car Museum for many years.

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[Steve Holmes]

The Morand Chevy that powered Oxton's FM5. Did this motor end up in Wayne Huxfords Capri Sports Sedan?

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[bigbanger]

Apparently yes, although it is likely it was a bit like George Washington's axe in the later days - possibly only the rocker covers left of the original.

[Rod Grimwood]

It is a neat looking car Steve, this was at 2012 Nov Lady Wigram.

[fullnoise68]

Rod, are those two 'Shell' panels for downforce or as wind deflectors over the front wheels?

[Steve Holmes]

Apparently yes, although it is likely it was a bit like George Washington's axe in the later days - possibly only the rocker covers left of the original.

Yeah good point. I think he used this motor for the first several years of racing the car, before then having an all new 6 litre unit built. So I doubt there is any part of this motor still on the car.

[Steve Holmes]

Here is Keen charging hard in the McBegg at Teretonga, with Jim Boyd chasing hard in the Stanton Corvette. Check out the fantastic spectator arrangements in the background. And how did that old Ford Consul not get clouted by a gyrating race car?

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[Rod Grimwood]

Rod, are those two 'Shell' panels for downforce or as wind deflectors over the front wheels?

Would think downforce Steve. Note they are a fraction taller than the original photos. (maybe they couldn't find smaller Shell signs)

[kiwi285]

I thought that the original Oxton car was in the Southwards museum.

[David McKinney]

If you're referring to the 'George Washington's axe' comment, I think that applied to the engine, not the car

[T332]

Dont let ALLAN McCULLY see this because the story of this TUB is a bit different it was not the SPARE TUB it was built up by the late FRED McCLEAN in the PDL workshops by FRED and ALLAN after FRED had left BEGG ENGINEERING so therefore not a BEGG not built at DRUMMOND no input from GEORGE. For the record this a FM5 only.

[Steve Holmes]

Yep thats my understanding, that this car never actually wore the Begg name anywhere on its bodywork. It was just referred to by the team as an FM5. According to Begg's book, the second tub was built at his workshop.

[Steve Holmes]

Back to the Begg Daimler once more.

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[Powder]

Back to the Begg Daimler once more.


Currently for sale:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/specialist-cars/competition-cars/auction-562978931.htm

[Kwaussie]

Dont let ALLAN McCULLY see this because the story of this TUB is a bit different it was not the SPARE TUB it was built up by the late FRED McCLEAN in the PDL workshops by FRED and ALLAN after FRED had left BEGG ENGINEERING so therefore not a BEGG not built at DRUMMOND no input from GEORGE. For the record this a FM5 only.

Direct quote from 'When the Engine Roars' page 151... "During construction, as I had learned at McLarens it is often possible to make two cars almost as quickly as one. That occurred with the FM5 - a second model had been made at the same time. When I was in England, Fred had sold it to a Drummond enthusiast who had quickly sold it on to Graham Baker" ........

[DJMcD]

And nice to work with you again at Teretonga Michael. Slightly different working conditions from the "Old Days????"
Was chatting to BB Keen he was keen for a run in the "new" McBegg but both officialdom and mechanical issues put paid to that!

[Oldfart]

16368Not an Ian Peak photo but is the "spinner" the 650?

[BMCBOY]

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[Steve Holmes]

Those are stunning photos Ross! I assume the Bill David #97 FM5 is the ex-Oxton car?

[Steve Holmes]

16368Not an Ian Peak photo but is the "spinner" the 650?

It definitely looks like the 650 Rhys.

[Steve Holmes]

This is the Begg Sports again, in its later guise with Brent Hawes now as owner/driver. Hawes had plenty of success in the car, but lost his life in it at Ruapuna.

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[Steve Holmes]

Another shot of the Begg Twin-cam

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[Steve Holmes]

Pierre Phillips in one of the FM2's

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[Steve Holmes]

Piers Courage, Graeme Lawrence and Barry Keen examine the McBegg

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[woody]

April 69.

[jim short]

Ex Bruce McLaren ,leaning over rear wheel John Muller Hamilton.

[Kwaussie]

post 56 Fred McLean in red jacket, Brian Nicol in black jacket
post 57 Bryan Taylor in front of GB & PC looking at the weather, either coming in or going out!

[Kwaussie]

April 69.

Has anyone a contact for Bill Pottinger - Steve his photographs would be a goldmine

[Michael Clark]

I know Bill but don't have contact details - let me see what I can find.

[Steve Holmes]

The small block Chevy in the back of the McBegg.

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[graham donaldson]

thanks for the photos.he was great to be around in the F5000 days.got to know him in the UK with his F5000 team.graham